Step 1: Add a slot into the top

Step 2: Remove screw

Now you can remove the screw with ease. If your doing a simple repair, such as replacing a fuse then just go to the hardware store and get some regula...

This instructable shows you how to open security screws. Security screws are those stupid screws you see on products that the manufacture does not intend for you to open. Ive seen these on hard drives and on a microwave.
There are two ways to open these without the special screwdriver, you can use a hammer and just bust the thing open (using brute force) or take a dremel and cut a slot or Phillips head into the screw.
Since we have evolved from the cavemen i will show you how a gentleman opens these.

Step 1: Add a slot into the top

This is too easy,
Take your dremel tool and carefully cut a slot in to the top of the screw. You want to modify the screw head to accept the new tool as perfect as possible. If you make the slot too wide then you risk shearing off the head and ruining the screw. If you make it too narrow then you risk injuring yourself when the tool slips.
With practice its possible to cut a Phillips head into the head of the screw.

Step 2: Remove screw

Now you can remove the screw with ease.
If your doing a simple repair, such as replacing a fuse then just go to the hardware store and get some regular screws that match the thread and size. If your busting into something then just toss the screws.

Hopefully this saves you a trip to the hardware store or having to special ordering security bits to open broken products.

What good hacker doesn't have a set of Torx-TR bits :P. A drill press can turn most decent quality Torx bits into TR ones too. But this is an excellent idea for for any screws that you don't have the driver for, just be careful doing this on the smaller screws because it can significantly weaken the screw head and when you go to turn it it can snap off.

So you just have to be careful that first time and replace the screw with some hacker-friendly variety once you succeed. Or just grind the whole head of the screw off and leave that location unfastened ;)

Oh, duh - I've never thought of that! Thanks for this timely instructable! I have a microwave with safety screws that died suddenly, and was frustrated that I couldn't get it open to tinker with. Being a pretty cheap person, I hated the idea of just chucking it out - I'll have to try this today. Thanks for sharing!

i use a flat head in the 2 top point thingy s above the pin , alternatively you can use a dremel drilling bit or what ever and remove the pin but i usually go the easier way and buy a set for the one time price of 8 bucks and for 15 bucks you could get the one that has an extender and 4 times the bits but the other ones i have yet to find a screw for but i know i will also you might want to look into the actual screw driver ones but i cant find them they come in handy for resesed screws when your trying not to void a warranty say on a xbox 360 controller (i just use a proper sized mini flat head which has way more uses) but if you dont have time to get a set and you dont have one you already bought with you then go ahead and as long as theres no warranty then this works great and i thank you btw what are you opening in this picture , oh also if you can get to a princess auto store (Canada for sure , i dont know about else-ware) they sell them there with no hassle and no internet buying and worry about oh is it gonna come , am i gonna get the full item i orderd

thats stupid (microwave have sec screws not you lol) and at any rate my microwave was so old the screws wigled themselvs loose over the years and i was able to use my fingers to remove them (literly hand tight lol)

wow good eye thanks i didnt notice that , i gues its cause i know where to put commas but i cant figure out periods or cause my teacher is always complaining about my lack of puncuation and she says at least throw in a comma so thats all i use ? well i dont know so i gues you never will lol maby if i find out ill tell you also still wondering whats in the pic , it looks like some sort of transmission?

How about just getting a set of T security bits? $10 and you can put them back without them being all hacked up. Like the ones used on pinball machines (White Water Topper) I wouldn't want hacked screws placed back in.

till you break you flat head caus its a tiny one , gese just use a correct sized driver ps i tried with a airbag controll unit to break the pin and no go i even hammered at it with the driver to knock it off and no go also rendering the air bag controll useless

Thanks for the idea, this is very good idea, if i do not have a right tool and need to open it urgently. This is great!

p/s sometime, you will not have plenty of times for doing a short time job, just learn what people tried to share the idea... Thanks to them spend a time to prepare those idea. That is why this site is here. Get it? Tools master?

About This Instructable

Bio:You also have many workers: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and people skilled in every kind of work in gold, silver, bronze and iron- beyond number. Now begin the work, and may the LORD be with yo...read more »